We want to hear from you about how well the ASEAN Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement has been working and what could be done to maximise its benefits for New Zealand businesses.

In 2017 the Governments of New Zealand, Australia and the ten countries that make up the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) will launch a comprehensive review of the ASEAN Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA).

Ahead of this, we want to hear from you about how well the agreement has been working and what could be done to maximise its benefits for NZ businesses.

The 12 countries covered by AANZFTA are home to 600 million people, with a combined economic output of USD 2.65 trillion.

The introduction of more liberal and transparent trade rules have helped to grow New Zealand’s trade with ASEAN from around $12 billion in 2010 to over $15 billion in 2015.

The Government would like to use the upcoming review to ensure AANZFTA is working as hard for New Zealand businesses as it could.

As part of this, we have the opportunity to update, improve or expand the scope of the agreement if needed.

Why AANZFTA is being reviewed

AANZFTA entered into force for New Zealand in 2010.

When it was signed, the 12 parties to the agreement envisaged that AANZFTA would be a ‘living document’, able to respond to changing business needs and the evolving regional economic situation.

There have been a number of important developments since 2010: The Trans Pacific Partnership was concluded, negotiations towards the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership progressed, and the ASEAN Economic Community was launched.

The Government would like to use the review to ensure AANZFTA is benefiting New Zealand businesses.